Information processing system, image processing apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium for using stored featured values to form an image

Abstract

An information processing system includes a server including a memory that stores a registered feature value of data and first circuitry, and an image processing apparatus connectable via a network to the server. The image processing apparatus includes second circuitry to extract a feature value from data and transmit the feature value to the server. The first circuitry receives the feature value transmitted from the image processing apparatus, outputs an output setting depending on whether the received feature value matches the registered feature value in the memory, and transmits the output setting to the image processing apparatus. The second circuitry receives, from the server, the output setting associated with the feature value, and instructs an image forming device to form an image based on the output setting.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An information processing system comprising:
 a server comprising:
 a memory that stores a registered feature value of data; and 
 first circuitry; and 
 
 an image processing apparatus connectable via a network to the server, the image processing apparatus comprising second circuitry configured to extract a feature value from data and transmit the feature value to the server, 
 the first circuitry being configured to:
 receive the feature value transmitted from the image processing apparatus; 
 output an output setting depending on whether the received feature value matches the registered feature value in the memory; and 
 transmit the output setting to the image processing apparatus; 
 
 the second circuitry being configured to:
 receive, from the server, the output setting associated with the feature value; and 
 instruct an image forming device to form an image based on the output setting, 
 wherein the registered feature value and the feature value of data include parameters corresponding to a plurality of parts of an image. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The information processing system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the second circuitry selectively receives an instruction on whether to register, in the server, the extracted feature value, and 
 wherein the server registers the feature value in the memory in response to reception of an instruction to register the feature value. 
 
     
     
       3. The information processing system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the data from which the feature value is extracted is one of print data based on which the image forming device forms an image or scan data obtained by scanning of a medium. 
 
     
     
       4. The information processing system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the server is a cloud print server or a local print server. 
 
     
     
       5. The information processing system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the second circuitry receives a user operation of designating an extraction target from which the feature value is extracted. 
 
     
     
       6. The information processing system according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the second circuitry extracts, as the feature value, a print position within the extraction target designated by the user operation. 
 
     
     
       7. The information processing system according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the second circuitry extracts, as the feature value, print character information within the extraction target designated by the user operation. 
 
     
     
       8. The information processing system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the image processing apparatus further includes:
 an invisible light source configured to irradiate a medium with invisible light; and 
 an invisible light image sensor configured to receive the invisible light reflected from the medium, to read invisible information on the medium. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The information processing system according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the data includes invisible information, and the second circuitry extracts the feature value from the invisible information. 
 
     
     
       10. The information processing system according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the image processing apparatus includes the image forming device configured to form the image on the medium, 
 wherein the image forming device adds the invisible information to the medium. 
 
     
     
       11. The information processing system according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the invisible information includes restriction information on a number of times of copying, and 
 wherein the server:
 receives the restriction information being the invisible information read by the invisible light image sensor; and 
 outputs the output setting according to the restriction information. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The information processing system according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the invisible information includes a copying expiration date, and 
 wherein the server:
 receives the copying expiration date being the invisible information read by the invisible light image sensor; and 
 outputs the output setting according to the copying expiration date. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The information processing system according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the invisible information includes restriction information on an apparatus permitted to form an image according to the output setting, and 
 wherein the server:
 receives the restriction information being the invisible information read by the invisible light image sensor; and 
 outputs the output setting according to the restriction information. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The information processing system according to  claim 9 ,
 wherein the invisible information includes restriction information on a user permitted to output an image according to the output setting, and 
 wherein the server:
 receives the restriction information being the invisible information read by the invisible light image sensor; and 
 outputs the output setting according to the restriction information. 
 
 
     
     
       15. The information processing system according to  claim 8 ,
 wherein the invisible information includes a print execution condition, and 
 wherein the second circuitry changes the output setting based on the print execution condition read by the invisible light image sensor from the invisible information. 
 
     
     
       16. The information processing system according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein the print execution condition indicates whether copying is permitted. 
 
     
     
       17. The information processing system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the image processing apparatus is an image forming apparatus including the image forming device. 
 
     
     
       18. The information processing system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the registered feature value and the feature value of data is presentable as a set of numerals indexed from the parameters. 
 
     
     
       19. A method for restricting replication of data, the method comprising:
 extracting a feature value from data; 
 transmitting the feature value to a server; 
 receiving an output setting associated with the feature value from the server based on a comparison between the feature value and a registered feature value stored by the server; and 
 instructing an image forming device to form an image according to the output setting, wherein 
 the feature value and the registered feature value include parameters corresponding to a plurality of parts of an image. 
 
     
     
       20. A non-transitory recording medium storing a plurality of program codes which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the processors to perform a method, the method comprising:
 extracting a feature value from data; 
 transmitting the feature value to a server; 
 receiving an output setting associated with the feature value from the server based on a comparison between the feature value and a registered feature value stored by the server; and 
 instructing an image forming device to form an image according to the output setting wherein 
 the feature value and the registered feature value include parameters corresponding to a plurality of parts of an image.